Hinge Mechanism and Electronic Device

Abstract

A hinge mechanism includes a main shaft, a synchronization assembly, and two swing arms, where the two swing arms are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the main shaft, and the two swing arms are rotatably connected to the main shaft. In addition, along an axial direction of the hinge mechanism, the synchronization assembly is located between the two swing arms. The synchronization assembly includes two gear assemblies. Each gear assembly includes a gear member and a connecting rod. The gear member includes a gear and a connection part. Gear surfaces of the gears of the two gear assemblies are engaged with each other, and the two gears are located between two connection parts. Each connecting rod is located between one connection part and one swing arm, and each connecting rod is slidably connected to the connection part and is rotatably connected to the swing arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hinge mechanism configured to be disposed opposite to a foldable part of a flexible display of an electronic device for folding and unfolding the electronic device, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:
 a main shaft comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a first swing arm disposed on the first side and rotatably connected to the main shaft;   a second swing arm disposed on the second side and rotatably connected to the main shaft; and   a synchronization assembly located between the first swing arm and the second swing arm along an axial direction of the hinge mechanism, wherein the synchronization assembly comprises:
 a first gear assembly comprising:
 a first gear member comprising:
 a first gear comprising a first gear surface and a first end part, wherein a first axis of the first gear is parallel to and does not coincide with a second axis along which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft; and 
 a first connection part located on the first end part and facing the first swing arm; and 
 
 a first connecting rod slidably connected to the first connection part and rotatably connected to the first swing arm; 
 
 a second gear assembly comprising:
 a second gear member comprising:
 a second gear comprising a second gear surface and a second end part, wherein the second gear surface is engaged with the first gear surface, and wherein a third axis of the second gear is parallel to and does not coincide with a fourth axis along which the second swing arm rotates around the main shaft; and 
 a second connection part located on the second end part and facing the second swing arm; and 
 
 a second connecting rod slidably connected to the second connection part and rotatably connected to the second swing arm. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection part comprises a first insertion slot, wherein the first connecting rod comprises a first sliding part inserted into the first insertion slot, and wherein the first sliding part is slidable along the first insertion slot wherein the second connection part comprises a second insertion slot, wherein the second connecting rod comprises a second sliding part inserted into the second insertion slot, and wherein the second sliding part is slidable along the second insertion slot. 
     
     
         3 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the first insertion slot and the second insertion slot are straight line slots, and wherein the first sliding part and the second sliding part are straight line sliding blocks. 
     
     
         4 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the main shaft further comprises a first track slot and a second track slot, and wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a rotating member comprising:
 a first housing mounting bracket disposed on the first side;   a second housing mounting bracket disposed on the second side;   a first rotating assembly located between the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket, wherein the first rotating assembly comprises:
 a first support arm rotatably connected to the second housing mounting bracket; 
 a first connector located between the first swing arm and the first support arm, wherein the first connector is rotatably connected to the first swing arm and the first support arm and is movable along the first track slot; and 
 a third swing arm rotatably connected to the main shaft and slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket; and 
   a second rotating assembly located between the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket, wherein the second rotating assembly comprises:
 a second support arm rotatably connected to the first housing mounting bracket; 
 a second connector located between the second swing arm and the second support arm, wherein the second connector is rotatably connected to the second swing arm and the second support arm and is movable along the second track slot; and 
 a second swing arm rotatably connected to the main shaft, and slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket. 
   
     
     
         5 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the main shaft comprises:
 a base comprising a first arc-shaped slot and a second third arc-shaped slot; and   a cover covering the base, wherein the cover comprises a first protrusion disposed toward the first arc-shaped slot and a second protrusion disposed toward the second arc-shaped slot, wherein the first track slot comprises a first gap between a first surface of the first protrusion and a first slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot, wherein the first connector comprises a first arc-shaped surface and a second arc-shaped surface, wherein when the electronic device is in an unfolded state and a folded state, the first arc-shaped surface abuts against the first surface, and the second arc-shaped surface abuts against the first slot surface, wherein the second track slot comprises a second gap between a second surface of the second protrusion and a second slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot, wherein the second connector comprises a third arc-shaped surface and a fourth arc-shaped surface, and wherein when the electronic device is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the third arc-shaped surface abuts against the second surface, and the fourth arc-shaped surface abuts against the second slot surface.   
     
     
         6 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein in a first process in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first arc-shaped surface abuts against the first surface, the third arc-shaped surface abuts against the second surface, a third gap exists between the second arc-shaped surface and the first slot surface, and a fourth gap exists between the fourth arc-shaped surface and the second slot surface, wherein in a second process in which the electronic device changes from the folded state to the unfolded state, the second arc-shaped surface abuts against the first slot surface, the fourth arc-shaped surface abuts against the second slot surface, a fifth gap exists between the first arc-shaped surface and the first surface, and a sixth gap exists between the third arc-shaped surface and the second surface. 
     
     
         7 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the first surface is equidistant from the first slot surface, wherein the second surface is equidistant from the second slot surface, wherein in processes in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first arc-shaped surface abuts against the first surface, the second arc-shaped surface abuts against the first slot surface, the third arc-shaped surface abuts against the second surface, and the fourth arc-shaped surface abuts against the second slot surface. 
     
     
         8 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the first arc-shaped surface, the second arc-shaped surface, the third arc-shaped surface, and the fourth arc-shaped surface are circular arc surfaces, wherein a first sum of a first radius of the first arc-shaped surface and a second radius of the second arc-shaped surface is equal to a first spacing between the first surface and the first slot surface, and wherein a second sum of a third radius of the third arc-shaped surface and a fourth radius of the fourth arc-shaped surface is equal to a second spacing between the second surface and the second slot surface. 
     
     
         9 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the main shaft comprises a base, wherein the base comprises a third arc-shaped slot and a fourth arc-shaped slot, wherein the first swing arm comprises a first arc-shaped rotating block, wherein the first arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the third arc-shaped slot, wherein the first arc-shaped rotating block is slidable along a third slot surface of the third arc-shaped slot for forming a first rotatable connection between the first swing arm and the main shaft, wherein the second swing arm comprises a second arc-shaped rotating block, wherein the second arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the fourth arc-shaped slot, and wherein the second arc-shaped rotating block is slidable along a fourth slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot for forming a second rotatable connection between the second swing arm and the main shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the main shaft further comprises a cover covering the base, wherein the cover comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein the first protrusion is disposed toward the third arc-shaped slot, wherein at least a part of the first arc-shaped rotating block is located between the first protrusion and the third arc-shaped slot, wherein the second protrusion is disposed toward the fourth arc-shaped slot, and wherein at least a second part of the second arc-shaped rotating block is located between the second protrusion and the fourth arc-shaped slot. 
     
     
         11 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the first connector comprises a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, wherein the first connector is rotatably connected to the first swing arm via the first rotating shaft, wherein the first connector is rotatably connected to the first support arm via the second rotating shaft, wherein a fifth axis of the first rotating shaft is parallel to and does not coincide with a sixth axis of the second rotating shaft, wherein the second connector comprises a third rotating shaft and a fourth rotating shaft, wherein the second connector is rotatably connected to the second swing arm via the third rotating shaft, wherein the second connector is rotatably connected to the second support arm via the fourth rotating shaft, and wherein a seventh axis of the third rotating shaft is parallel to and does not coincide with an eighth axis of the fourth rotating shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the first arc-shaped rotating block comprises a first mounting slot comprising a first slot opening disposed toward the third arc-shaped slot, wherein the first rotating shaft is mounted in the first mounting slot, wherein a first part of a first surface of the first rotating shaft is in contact with a fifth slot surface of the first mounting slot, wherein a second part of the first surface is in contact with the third slot surface, wherein the second arc-shaped rotating block comprises a second mounting slot, wherein a second slot opening of the second mounting slot is disposed toward the fourth arc-shaped slot, wherein the third rotating shaft is mounted in the second mounting slot, wherein a third part of a second surface of the third rotating shaft is in contact with a sixth slot surface of the second mounting slot, and wherein a fourth part of the second surface is in contact with the fourth slot surface. 
     
     
         13 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the fifth slot surface comprises a first circular arc surface, wherein the first part of the first surface is a second circular arc surface, and wherein a first center of the first circular arc surface coincides with a second center of the second circular arc surface, wherein the sixth slot surface comprises a third circular arc surface, wherein the second surface is a fourth circular arc surface, and wherein a third center of the third circular arc surface coincides with a fourth center of the fourth circular arc surface. 
     
     
         14 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the third slot surface is a fourth circular arc surface, wherein the second part of the first surface is a fifth circular arc surface, wherein a fourth center of the fourth circular arc surface coincides with a fifth center of the fifth circular arc surface, wherein the fourth slot surface is a sixth circular arc surface, wherein the third part of the second surface is a seventh circular arc surface, and wherein a sixth center of the sixth circular arc surface coincides with a seventh center of the seventh circular arc surface. 
     
     
         15 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the first arc-shaped rotating block comprises a first jack, wherein the first connecting rod comprises a first rod part inserted into the first jack, wherein the second arc-shaped rotating block comprises a second jack, and wherein the second connecting rod comprises a second rod part inserted into the second jack. 
     
     
         16 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of first sub-connectors that are sequentially rotatably connected, wherein the first plurality of sub-connectors is located between the first swing arm and the first support arm, wherein the first swing arm is rotatably connected to a first sub-connector in the first plurality of sub-connectors that is adjacent to the first swing arm, wherein the first support arm is rotatably connected to a second sub-connector in the first plurality of sub-connectors that is adjacent to the first support arm, wherein the second connector comprises a second plurality of sub-connectors that are sequentially rotatably connected and located between the second swing arm and the second support arm, wherein the second swing arm is rotatably connected to a third sub-connector in the second plurality of sub-connectors that is adjacent to the second swing arm, and wherein the second support arm is rotatably connected to a fourth sub-connector in the second plurality of sub-connectors that is adjacent to the second support arm. 
     
     
         17 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a first axis center at which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft is located on a first side of the main shaft and that is away from the flexible display, and wherein a second axis center at which the second swing arm rotates around the main shaft is located on a second side of the main shaft and that is away from the flexible display. 
     
     
         18 . An electronic device comprising:
 a first housing;   a second housing;   a flexible display;   a hinge mechanism comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first housing is disposed on the first side, the second housing is disposed on the second side, and the first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected to the hinge mechanism for folding and unfolding the electronic device, wherein the flexible display is fastened to the first housing and the second housing, wherein the flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, and wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:
 a main shaft comprising a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side; 
 a first swing arm disposed on the third side and rotatably connected to the main shaft; 
 a second swing arm disposed on the fourth side and rotatably connected to the main shaft; 
 a synchronization assembly located between the first swing arm and the second swing arm along an axial direction of the hinge mechanism, wherein the synchronization assembly comprises:
 a first gear assembly comprising:
 a first gear member comprising:  a first gear comprising a first gear surface and a first end part, wherein a first axis of the first gear is parallel to and does not coincide with a second axis along which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft; and  a first connection part located on the first end part and facing the first swing arm; and 
 a first connecting rod slidably connected to the first connection part and rotatably connected to the first swing arm; and 
 
 a second gear assembly comprising:
 a second gear member comprising:  a second gear comprising a second gear surface and second end part, wherein the second gear surface is engaged with the first gear surface, and wherein a third axis of the second gear is parallel to and does not coincide with a fourth axis along which the second swing arm rotates around the main shaft; and  a second connection part located on the second end part and facing the second swing arm; and 
 a second connecting rod slidably connected to the second connection part and rotatably connected to the second swing arm; and 
 
 
   a flexible display comprising a foldable part and configured to continuously cover the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, wherein the flexible display is fastened to the first housing and the second housing, and wherein the hinge mechanism is disposed opposite to the foldable part.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the first connection part comprises a first insertion slot, wherein the first connecting rod comprises a first sliding part inserted into the first insertion slot, wherein the first sliding part is slidable along the first insertion slot, wherein the second connection part comprises a second insertion slot, wherein the second connecting rod comprises a second sliding part inserted into the second insertion slot, and wherein the second sliding part is slidable along the second insertion slot. 
     
     
         20 . A hinge mechanism comprising:
 a main shaft comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a first swing arm disposed on the first side and rotatably connected to the main shaft;   a second swing arm disposed on the second side rotatably connected to the main shaft; and   a synchronization assembly located between the first swing arm and the second swing arm along an axial direction of the hinge mechanism, comprising a first gear assembly and a second gear assembly, and configured to
 synchronously rotate the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly towards each other during a folding process of an electronic device, and 
 synchronously rotate the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly away from each other during an unfolding process of the electronic device.